With Ichiro in lineup, Yankees win, 4-1 over Seattle

Otto Greule Jr/Getty ImagesNew Yankee Ichiro Suzuki legs out a single in his first at bat with his new team.

SEATTLE — Before Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda even threw his first pitch Monday night, the Mariners made his task a bit easier by sending franchise icon Ichiro Suzuki to get fitted for new pinstripes.

Without Ichiro, a Mariners lineup stocked with youngsters offered little resistance in a 4-1 Yankees victory, which stopped the team’s season-long losing streak at four games.

After losing four straight one-run games to the A’s over the weekend, the Yankees benefited from Kuroda’s strong outing. He struck out nine in seven innings while allowing just three hits.

He surrendered his only run in the third inning. Then, he watched the Yankees rally for three runs in the fourth. Mark Teixeira, Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones delivered run-scoring hits.

Alex Rodriguez started the rally by lining a double off the right field fence — only narrowly missing a homer — though he cleared the wall with his solo shot to add an insurance run in the eighth.

One day after blowing his second save chance this season, Yankees closer Rafael Soriano worked a scoreless ninth against his former team.

— The addition of Ichiro will have a trickle-down effect on some Yankees, while others will be unaffected.

According to manager Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter will remain in his usual spot as the leadoff hitter, with Ichiro most likely hitting in the bottom third of the order.

Meanwhile, Nick Swisher will continue to start in right field, with Ichiro forced to make the adjustment in left.

“You would think with his experience and athleticism, it will make up for that,” Girardi said. “It might be a little bit of an adjustment period but I don’t expect it to be long.”

Ichiro has played just one big league game (in the 2001 postseason) in left field. And until Monday — when he made his Yankees debut hitting eighth — he had never started outside of the top three spots in the order.

Meanwhile, others on the roster will see changes in their roles.

Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones will take on more DH duties with Ichiro taking over in left. Meanwhile, Rodriguez and Jeter may be getting more off days. Previously, Girardi used the DH spot to give both players breathers, while keeping their bats in the lineup.

To make room on the roster for Ichiro, the Yankees designated outfielder Dewayne Wise for assignment.

— Since his days in Japan with the Orix Blue Wave, Ichiro has worn No. 51. But with that number unofficially retired by the Yankees in honor of Bernie Williams, Ichiro knew immediately that he’d need a new number.

“Of course No. 51 is a special number to me, but when I think about what 51 means to the Yankees, it’s hard for me to ask for that number,” he said. “I’d like to have a new number and then make that my own.”

Ichiro chose No. 31.

— Swisher once again reported improvement in his strained left hip flexor, an injury that has kept him out of action since Friday. However, Girardi doesn’t plan on playing Swisher during the Yankees’ three-game series against the Mariners.